Ta Mueang Thom Castle
It is one of the temples within the Ta Mueang temple group in the Ta Mueang Historical Park.
It is the largest and most important historical site within the Ta Mueang temple group.
It is located in Ban Chan Subdistrict, Phanom Dong Rak District, Surin Province, near the ThailandCambodia border. The temple sits atop the Phanom Dong Rak ridge, which in the past served as an ancient route connecting Angkor (Cambodia) with the Mekong River basin region.
Ta Mueang Thom Temple
It dates back to approximately the late 16th Buddhist century.
It is a large temple complex built from sandstone and laterite, consisting of three structures. The main temple features a square plan with chamfered corners, and at its central chamber stands a Shivalinga, symbolizing Shiva, the supreme deity in Shaivism, a sect of Hinduism.
The Shivalinga is crafted from a natural sandstone formation that resembled a Shivalinga already present at the site. Later, the temple was constructed around it. This is believed to be a Swayambhu Linga, a self-manifested Shivalinga, which is considered the most sacred in Shaivism.
The main temple has gates on all four sides, with the southern gate leading to a projecting porch or mandapa divided into three chambers. The roof is made of sandstone, and the base of the main temple is adorned with carvings of standing deities. Additionally, a sandstone lintel was found, featuring seated celestial figures with bent knees, positioned within a niche above a Kala face that expels a garland.
The satellite temples, or smaller prangs, consist of two structures.
They are built from sandstone and located behind, slightly to the left and right of the main temple. Each has a square plan with chamfered corners, with an entrance on the southern side, while the other three sides feature false doors.
There are two libraries (Bannalai).
They are built from laterite. One is located to the southeast of the main temple with a rectangular plan, while the other is situated to the southwest of the main temple with a square plan.
The main temple, the satellite prangs, and the libraries (Bannalai).
The enclosure gallery surrounds the temple and its gates (gopuras), constructed from sandstone with a square plan. The internal walkway is approximately 1.40 meters wide. There are gates on all four sides: the north, east, and west gates are similar in design, while the southern gate is the largest, serving as the main entrance, divided into three chambers. The central chamber has a cruciform plan with windows fitted with stone lattices.
Within this gallery, ancient inscriptions in Old Khmer, Sanskrit, and Khmer scripts have been found, dating to the late 16th Buddhist century. These inscriptions praise Shiva and record the names of slaves and officials responsible for maintaining the temple. (Translation by Ms. Kongkaew Veeraprachak, National Library, Fine Arts Department)
In addition, a stone-built water pavilion was discovered outside the southern side of the enclosure gallery, approximately 10 meters away. There is also a laterite-lined pond located outside the northwestern side of the gallery, with the lining extending down to the bottom of the pond.
Based on the architectural features, inscriptions, religious sculptures, and the lintel carvings found at this temple, Ta Mueang Thom can be identified as a Hindu temple of the Shaivism sect, built around the late 16th Buddhist century, exhibiting Baphuon-style Khmer art.
Today, Ta Mueang Thom has been restored by the Fine Arts Department, and some of its artifacts are displayed at the Surin National Museum.
Additional Information for Tourists
Opening Hours: Daily, 08:00 17:00
Admission Fee: Free of charge
Recommendations:
- Dress modestly and respectfully
- Do not climb on the structures
- Carry your ID card if passing through military checkpoints
Hotels in Surin Province, near the city center
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